Coffin-fastener



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UOPFIN PASTBNBR. No. 498,525. Patented May 30, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK O. RIDDLE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COFFIN-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,525, dated May 3o, 1893. Application sied Jenueryie, 1893. serai No. 458,474. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. RIDDLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cofn-Fasteners, of Which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein like symbols of reference refer to like parts wherever they occur, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of the several parts comprising; my improved fastener, in position ready for insertion. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts after insertion, showing the relations thereofwhen the cofin lid is turned back, and the parts used as a hinge. Fig. 3 is albottom plan View of the parts assembled, showing them in a locked position; and Fig. 4e isaplan View of the blank from which one of said parts is formed.

My invention relates to coffin fasteners, of that class shown and described in Letters Patent granted to me on June 7, 1892, No. 476,315. In the patent just mentioned, the retaining foot and its securing base were cast, thus making the cost of production of-such parts considerable.

This invention is designed more especially as an improvement on my aforementioned patent, and consists, generally stated, in4 the formation of a keeper plate, or casket section as I shall term it, and a lid section, of such shape that they may be easily punched out bya stamping die, thus reducing their cost of production to a minimum.

In the drawings, A indicates the keeper plate, formed with screw openings a by which it is adapted to be secured to the upper edge of the body of a burial casket, and having stamped or otherwise formed therein a substantially Z shaped opening, comprising the entering recesses b and d which are connected by the opening or channel-Way c. The recess cl is extended longitudinally such a distance, vas at e, as to afford reception of the neck or shank of the locking projection on the lid, which is susceptible of being slid therein, as will hereinafter be described. The. position of the recesses b and d--e forms shoulders f,

tioned, is preferably punched out by stampp ing dies, which, in their process, form screw openings h therein, and make the cut t', leaving a projection j which afterward forms a longitudinal projection or toe portion, as shown in Fig. 1. I also prefer to make burrs k on the inner surface to more securely retain this plate in its position on the lid, and also to mark the place of this part on the lid part of the casket. The parts being stamped, and the section B being bent as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the Lipper edge of the casket body is mortised and gouged out, in the first instance to permit the `keeper plate to fit flush with the surface, and in the latter, to permit the play of the neck portion Z formed by bending the portionmade by the cut t'. After thekeeper plates are in position, the lid sections are then secured to the lid, so that the toe j will register with the recess b in the keeper plate. These parts are applied to both sides of the coffin body and lid, andA as the operation of each side is the same, it will be only necessary to describe one. Should it be desired to lock the lid, or prevent its removal vertically, the lid is slid toward one end," forcing the neck into the recesses e, and bringing the toe j under the shoulder g In order to convert the fastener into a hinge, or permit the lid to be turned back at either side, the lid is slid longitudinally until the neck comes in contact with the shoulder f, and by the curvature of the cuti the lid is permitted to be turned back. The opposite side being in a similar position the nose or toe 7' will be permitted to escape through the opening b. By this movement of turning the lid back, the edge face m of the bent portionZ comes in contact with the upper face of the keeper plate A, and the toe]- impinges against the under side of the shoulder f, as shown in Fig. 2. To prevent displacement of the lid when the parts have assumed this position,

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by a side movement of the lid, the neck Z is forced into the channel c, thereby locking it against longitudinal movement, and permitting the lid to be closed at any time Without further changing the position of the parts.

I am aware that slight changes in the construction of the several parts comprising my invention, may be made Without in the least departing from the nature and principle of the same.

Having thus 'described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a coffin fastener, the combination with akeeper plate provided With angularly shaped openings connected bya channel, of alid section having a bent portion in the form of a neck provided with a toe at its lower extremity, said parts adapted to enter said openings and be used asahinge, the channel connecting the two openings being Wide enough to permit the reception of the neck, thereby preventing longitudinal movement, substantially as described.

2. In a coffin fastener, the combination with a keeper plate provided with different sized angular openin gs connected by a channel way at their meeting corners, of a lid section provided with a neck formed with a curved inner side, said neck being of less width than the wider opening in the keeper plate, a toe on the lower end of the neck, and means for securing the several parts respectively to the casketand lid, whereby, the lid may be turned back from either side and locked against longitudinal movement or displacement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 6th day of January, 1893.

FRANK C. RIDDLE. Witnesses:

A. RAINES, HUGH K. VAGNER. 

